Art by Anne Benkovitz
Moog: A History in Recordings
December 2023
Thom Holmes
This is my fourth holiday podcast, and it was built on a tradition that goes back to
the year 2000, when I started curating holiday music each year on a
privately released CD that went to my friends. I called that CD Merry Moog. I’ve
retained many of those original tracks for the podcast but always leave room for
new discoveries. For this purpose, I maintain a special section of my Moog
Modular collection of vintage recordings that consists solely of holiday music.
While I fancy myself as being agnostic when it comes to religious holidays, there is
certainly an overabundance of Christmas Music that has been recorded over the
years, so I go with the flow of availability.
For this year’s blog and associated podcast, I am sampling some of the new recordings I discovered in the past year, while also bringing out some of the oldies for your enjoyment. Sprinkled
throughout are six, short, Christmas-themed “audio logos” from a broadcast
library album, the Sounds of Broadcasting, each logo comprising 60 seconds of
Moog Modular holiday joy.
Of the 32 tracks, 17 are new to the collection. Several of the tracks come from
special discs issued by record labels, featuring holiday music created by their
artists. One from 1981 is Ghosts of Christmas Past, from Belgium, featuring some
extraordinarily out-there holiday experiments from Michael Nyman, Cabaret
Voltaire, Paul Haig, and the Swinging Buildings whose contribution is “Praying For
A Cheaper Christmas.”
Then there is Old Man Gloom, an ambient-electronic band with “Valhalla and Christmas Eve Parts I and II from an album called Christmas. We also hear from Joy Electric, who is Ronnie Martin, an American synthesizer-
pop musician. Then the Christmas Baubles, a Russian sound experiment with
some unadorned electronic music for the holidays. We’ll hear a tune from BBC-
Radiophonic veteran John Baker that he edited together from the sound of a
mechanical cash register. I have an album of Christmas music from Pac-Man, a
French progressive group called Edhels from 1985.
The richest vein of Moog Modular holiday recordings date from the late sixties
and early seventies when so many artists were discovering, and mastering, the
marvelous modular synthesizer. When the Moog Modular synthesizer first
became widely available from about 1967 to 1970, it was practically the only
game in town for musicians who wanted to engage in music synthesis. Much of
my collection goes back to that era. Included here are examples from each major
synthesist from that time: Keith Emerson, Jean Jacques Perrey, Douglas Leedy, Joe Byrd, Hans Wurman, and Bernie Krause, although in Bernie’s case I chose a non-
Moog recording which was assembled from the sounds from nature.
I invite you to sit back in front of a real fireplace, or perhaps a synthetic one of
your imagination, perhaps with a glass of wine in your hand, and enjoy these
electronic sounds of the season.
Merry Moog 2023 Playlist
1. Sounds Of Broadcasting 1, “Christmas Logos” from Sounds Of Broadcasting
#6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track
produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
2. Hans Wurman, “Overture Miniature” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation).
This Austrian composer made several remarkable, classically influenced Moog
Modular albums from 1969 to 1976. This was one of his last big Moog projects
and is difficult to find. 2:54
3. Hans Wurman, “Danse De La Fee-Dragee ( Sugar Plum Fairy)” from Electric
Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). Moog Modular synthesizer, Hans Wurman. 1:33
4. Hans Wurman, “Danse Des Mirlitons (Flutes)” from Electric Nutcracker (1976
Ovation). Moog Modular synthesizer, Hans Wurman. 2:14
5. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Nutrocker” from Nutrocker / The Great Gates Of
Kiev (1972 Cotillion). Arranged by, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Written by Kim
Fowley.
6. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Troika” from I Believe In Father Christmas (1995
Rhino Records). Arranged by, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Moog and effects by
Keith Emerson.
7. Sounds Of Broadcasting 2, “Night Of The Kings” from Sounds Of Broadcasting
#6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track
produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
8. Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Jingle Bells” from Switched on Santa (1970
Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer.
9. Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Christmas Bells” from Switched on Santa
(1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer.
10. Douglas Leedy, “The Coventry Carol” from A Very Merry Electric Christmas to
You (1970 Capitol). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer and Buchla Synthesizer.
11. Joseph Byrd, “Christmas in the Morning” from A Christmas Yet to Come (1975
Takoma). USA. ARP 2600 Synthesizer with an Oberheim Expander Module.
12. Armen Ra, “O Come All Ye Faithful” from Theremin Christmas (2018 Sungod).
USA. Moog Etherwave Pro Theremin.
13. Sounds Of Broadcasting 3, “Electronic Tinsel” from Sounds Of Broadcasting
#6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track
produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
14. Beck, “The Little Drum Machine Boy” from Just Say Noël (1996 Geffen). USA.
Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer.
15. Taeko Onuki, Inori (Prayer) from We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1984 Yen).
A compilation of specially recorded Christmas-themed songs from various
artists on the Yen Records label. Japanese synth-pop with vocals by Onuki.
Maybe Ryuichi Sakamoto on keyboards.
16. Unknown artist, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from Electronic Computer
Christmas Music (1990 Silver Bells Music). As the name suggests, this was a
label dedication mostly to producing broadcast music for the holidays. They
also release several albums of nature sounds. The studio musicians go
unnamed.
17. John Baker, “Christmas Commercial” from BBC Radiophonic Music (1968 BBC
Radio Enterprises). A short piece used for broadcasting that was created by
tape manipulation of the sounds of a mechanical cash register. It was part of
collection of short works by BBC Radiophonic composers. “This record has
been produced with the intention of entertaining rather than informing: the
items chosen do not necessarily represent a survey of the music created at the
BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The Workshop at the BBC Music Studios in Maida
Vale, London, is equipped with tape recording machines and other electronic
equipment for generating and manipulating sound. The composition and
realization of this music and sound is done by a small number of specialized
creative staff.”
18. Christmas Baubles, “Orch” from Christmas Baubles And Their Strange Sounds
(2002 Lo Recordings). Christmas Baubles was a Russian trio comprised of
Alexander Zaitsev, Gennady Pleshkov, and Ilya Baramiya, who produced and
performed this track.
19. Sounds Of Broadcasting 4, “Cutesy Christmas Logos” from Sounds Of
Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library
track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
20. Michael Nyman, “Cream or Christmas” from Chantons Noël – Ghosts Of
Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album ofChristmas-related tunes. From Nyman’s minimalist era before he became
famous for soundtracks.
21. Cabaret Voltaire, “Invocation” from Eight Crepuscule Tracks (1987 Interior
Music). This track was originally included on the holiday album Chantons Noël –
Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule), which suggested
to me that it should be in this holiday podcast. Any excuse for a CV track.
22. Paul Haig, “Scottish Christmas” from Chantons Noël – Ghosts Of Christmas Past
(1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album of Christmas-
related tunes. Scottish songwriter, musician and singer.
23. Les Cousins Dangereux, “What Child Is This” from Gotta Groove Records 2012
(2012 Gotta Groove Records). Holiday album with various artists. Les Cousins
Dangereux is Mr. Tim Thornton.
24. Joy Electric, “Angels We Have Heard on High” from The Magic Of Christmas
(2003 Tooth & Nail Records). Joy Electric is Ronnie Martin from Ohio. American
synthesizer-pop musician. Among his many releases is this crafty Christmas
album.
25. Sounds Of Broadcasting 5, “Christmas Moog Choir” from Sounds Of
Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library
track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
26. Edhels, “Oriental Christmas” from Oriental Christmas (1985 Cabana Music).
Recorded in France. Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Jacky Rosati; Guitar, Jean
Louis Suzzoni; Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Composed by, Marc Ceccotti;
Keyboards, Noël Damon. I was sent this as a promotional album back in 1985
with a kind little note from the artists. Sorry it took me so long to put the
Christmas-related track in my podcast. This is great example of synth-pop from
France in the 1980s.
27. Pac-Man, “Snowflakes And Frozen Lakes” from Pac-Man Christmas Album
(1982 Kid Stuff Records). Produced, Written by, Dana Walden, Patrick McBride.
“A collection of Pac-Man’s favorite Christmas songs.” Need I say more?
28. Swinging Buildings, “Praying For A Cheaper Christmas” from Chantons Noël –
Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a
compilation album of Christmas-related tunes. This group was once rumored
to be New Order in disguise. But no, they were in fact The Bowling Balls in
disguise.
29. Old Man Gloom, “Valhalla and Christmas Eve Parts I and II from Christmas
(2004 Tortuga Recordings). Ambient/Noise band formed in New Mexico by
guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner and drummer Santos Montano. Guitar, Drum
Programming, Drums, captured and organized sound, Kurt Ballou; Performed
by Aaron Turner, Caleb Scofield, Luke Scarola, Nate Newton, Santos Montano.
30. Sounds Of Broadcasting 6, “The Joyous Moment” from Sounds Of Broadcasting
#6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track
produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
31. Bernie Krause, Philip Aaberg, “Feliz Navidad” from A Wild Christmas (1994
Etherean Music ). This delightful cassette is from Bernie Krause, known for his
Moog explorations with Paul Beaver back in the day. All animal and ambient
sounds recorded on location worldwide by Bernie Krause with the exception of
the fish (courtesy of U.S. Navy). Animal samples, Bernie Krause and Phil
Aaberg. Arrangements, new materials, all keyboards (Kurzweil 2000/Emulator
III) Phil Aaberg. Percussion on Feliz Navidad performed by Ben Leinbach. 5:37
32. John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir
(remixed by Thom Holmes in 2001), “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” (1971
Apple Records). I had a CD player that was in disrepair and decided to
“perform” this remix using it. I ended up calling this the Lennon and Ono
Sliding Moment remix.
Opening background music: Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Tijuana
Christmas” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular
Synthesizer. Don Voegeli, “Chanukah” from Holiday & Seasonal Music (1977 EMI).
USA. Produced at the Electrosonic Studio of the University of Wisconsin-
Extension. Joy Electric, “Let it Snow” from The Magic Of Christmas (2003 Tooth &
Nail Records). Joy Electric is Ronnie Martin from Ohio. American synthesizer-pop
musician. Christmas Baubles, “Noisy Organ” from Christmas Baubles And Their
Strange Sounds (2002 Lo Recordings). Christmas Baubles was a Russian trio
comprised of Alexander Zaitsev, Gennady Pleshkov, and Ilya Baramiya, who
produced and performed this track.
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.